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Independent Bookstores in Washington, DC

NewPages.com guide to the best Washington, DC indie bookstores

Independent bookstores in Washington, DC are sorted by City as you scroll through. If your favorite indie bookstore is missing, please contact us.

If you are the owner of an indie bookstore, you can submit a free enhanced listing for your bookstore in our Guide here.

Friends to Lovers Romance Bookstore

Friends to Lovers is the first romance bookstore in the DC metro area. Our passion is community and storytelling; here you’ll find your stories featuring heroines from all sorts of backgrounds and experiences in all the sub-genres and tropes you love. We love to highlight small women-owned businesses and indie authors—find your new faves here!

  • AIA Bookstore
  • 1735 New York Ave. NW
  • City: Washington DC
  • Phone: (202) 626-7475
  • Type: New books
  • Specialty: LGBTQ+
  • Sidelines: Gifts, Newspapers
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Led by the American Institute of Architects, the AIA Store offers an architect-first collection of books, accessories, stationary, design items, toys, and more. [Store photo by Nancy Bratton]

We are a culinary bookshop located in Washington DC’s Mt. Pleasant neighborhood.

Bridge Street Books has been independently owned and operated since 1980. We sell new books and specialize in the Humanities, though we carry books on all subjects.

  • Busboys & Poets Brookland
  • 3224 St. Paul St.
  • City: Washington DC
  • Phone: (202) 636-7230
  • Type: New books
  • Specialty: General Interest
  • Sidelines: Café/Food
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Busboys and Poets is a community where racial and cultural connections are consciously uplifted…a place to take a deliberate pause and feed your mind, body and soul…a space for art, culture and politics to intentionally collide…we believe that by creating such a space we can inspire social change and begin to transform our community and the world.

Busboys and Poets is a community gathering place. First established in 2005, Busboys and Poets was created by owner Andy Shallal, an Iraqi-American artist, activist and restaurateur. Busboys and Poets has six different locations in the Washington Metropolitan area and is a community resource for artists, activists, writers, thinkers, and dreamers.

Busboys and Poets is a community where racial and cultural connections are consciously uplifted; a place to take a deliberate pause and feed your mind, body, and soul; a space for art, culture and politics to intentionally collide. We believe that by creating such a space we can inspire social change and begin to transform our community and the world.

We have fiction books in the fiction room (hard cover & paperbacks), mystery books in the Mystery Room, foreign language books in the bathroom, cookbooks in the kitchen on the kitchen sink, business books with the lawyers in the Business Closet, cultural biographies in the Cultural Closet, and a Weird Section for those who like witches, dreams, and things that go bump in the night. We also have books on history, philosophy, travel, Washington DC, theology, psychology, politics (of course), games, art and more.

For more than 30 years, Child’s Play has sold thoughtful toys and books, specially curated to develop children’s sense of wonder and play. Because play is the most important part of childhood.

  • East City Bookshop
  • 645 Pennsylvania Ave SE, Ste 100
  • City: Washington DC
  • Phone: (202) 290-1636
  • Type: New books
  • Specialty: General Interest
  • Sidelines: Gifts, Greeting Cards/Postcards, Stationery, Toys/Games
  • Events: Author Signings, Book Clubs, Readings, Storytime
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East City Bookshop is an independent, community-focused bookstore for children and adults in Washington, DC. We also have a selection of toys, gifts, art supplies, and bookish items that we think would make a special treat for yourself or for someone you like a whole lot. Our mission is to provide friendly and warm service, community-oriented events, and support for the literary arts at every reading level.

Kramers

  • Kramers
  • 1517 Connecticut Ave. NW
  • City: Washington DC
  • Phone: (202) 387-1400
  • Type: New books
  • Specialty: General Interest
  • Sidelines: Magazines
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Kramers is a DC institution located in the heart of Dupont Circle. The carefully curated bookstore is adjoined by a cozy bar & glass-enclosed restaurant/cafe in the back. Join us for regular author events and storytimes.

The Lantern is a shop for used and rare books founded in 1977 and entirely run by volunteers, most of whom are local Bryn Mawr College alumnae. All of us love books! Our mission is to provide financial assistance to women at Bryn Mawr College. All of our profits go to the college to support student summer internships.

Little District Books is a queer-owned Washington, DC based independent book store that celebrates LGBTQ+ authors and stories.

Lost City Books is an independent bookstore offering used, new, and rare books to the Adams Morgan and greater D.C. community.

An Indie bookstore in D.C. specializing in diverse books for all ages.

Politics & Prose at The Wharf

Politics and Prose comes to D.C.’s premier waterfront destination. Located in The Wharf’s District Square and surrounded by a great assortment of retail, restaurant, and cultural offerings, our new location brings a steady lineup of author events.

Politics and Prose

Politics & Prose Bookstore is Washington, D.C.’s premier independent bookstore and cultural hub, a gathering place for people interested in reading and discussing books. Politics & Prose offers superior service, unique book choices, regular events, and a haven for book lovers in store and online.

Politics and Prose at Union Market

  • The Potter's House
  • 1658 Columbia Rd NW
  • City: Washington DC
  • Phone: (202) 232-5483
  • Type: New books
  • Specialty: Children's, Feminist, LGBTQ+
  • Sidelines: Artwork, Café/Food, Coffee/Tea, Gifts, Greeting Cards/Postcards, Magazines
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The Potter’s House is a deeply rooted space where we can build relationships across our differences, envision just alternatives, and grow the movements that will make them possible.

Small independent bookstore in DC that specializes in scientific and professional books for everyone.

In addition to our cafe, we offer classic books from the pillars of black culture and history, as well as new releases in culture, history, sociology, biography, and fiction. We stock the largest collection of children’s black literature in the DC area.

Second Story Books sells used, unique, rare & antiquarian books, art, antiques, posters, CDs, DVDs, old maps & graphics. From 50-cent paperbacks to collectible first editions of literary classics, we have something for everyone. 

Solid State Books

  • Solid State Books
  • 600 H St NE
  • City: Washington DC
  • Phone: (202) 897-4201
  • Type: New books
  • Specialty: General Interest
  • Sidelines: Coffee/Tea, Gifts
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Solid State Books is DC’s newest independent bookstore and cafe. We carry a diverse selection of books and gifts for adults and children, host dynamic programs and events, and will serve a selection of fine beer, wine, coffee, pastries, and snacks in our cafe.